High/Low

Produced by The Cars' Ric Ocasek, the New York trio's debut flawlessly fused muscular post-hardcore guitar energy with pristine, highly melodic power-pop hooks. The massive, MTV-driven success of the sarcastic spoken-word single 'Popular' initially saddled the group with a one-hit wonder novelty status. However, the record's underlying anxious, intelligent songwriting laid the foundation for one of indie rock's most remarkably consistent and enduring careers.